Used 2012 Dodge Avenger for sale 

The Dodge Avenger sees renaming in the trims section, but there are no other changes whatsoever in the features section. The base SE trim is functional, featuring only the necessary features while the more powerful and capable V6 engine is offered SXT Plus trim onwards. 

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Considering the underwhelming overall performance from the base engine and its low efficiency, it is preferred to opt for the SXT Plus trim which not only gets the more capable V6 engine but also features a lot more creature comforts and technology, which adds more value to the car.

The 2012 Avenger is available with two engine options, the lower trims feature a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 173 hp and 166 lb-ft of torque, while the higher trims get a 3.6-liter V6 engine which generates a strong 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft.

The base engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic while the V6 is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, which is also the better of the two. The power is sent to the front wheels only, with the option for an AWD system.

Although the Avenger is the most affordable sedan in this lineup by a considerable margin, the engine output is on par with the rivals and yet the performance is lackluster. The Toyota Camry has a marginally higher engine output and is over a second quicker than the Dodge. The Nissan Altima and the Ford Fusion are right behind the Camry, with the Avenger trailing at the back.

Fuel efficiency is not really the strongest point for the Dodge Avenger and it shows from the EPA rating of just 24 mpg for combined city and highway fuel consumption. The available V6 engine although has a decent fuel efficiency of about 22 mpg combined, which is pretty good considering the performance it offers. The 16.9 gallon is also on the smaller side in this segment and hence the real-world driving range is just about 350 miles on a single tank of gas. 

The Ford Fusion also suffers from high fuel consumption and also has a similar fuel tank capacity as that of the Dodge. The Toyota Camry is the most frugal sedan in here and with a similarly sized gas tank, the driving range is pretty solid too. The Nissan Altima is marginally less efficient than its Japanese counterpart, but the large gas tank aids it in providing a class-leading driving range.

After the overhaul last year, the cabin of the Avenger now feels on par with the competition and although the design is not that different, the improved quality of materials makes a whole lot of difference.

The rear visibility is pretty limited due to thick pillars and the high mounted front seat although improves legroom but feels odd when driving. The compact dimensions of the car also mean a more limited cargo capacity. 

The Toyota Camry has the most spacious back seat but the front seat legroom is compromised to a certain extent. On the contrary, the Nissan Altima has the best front seat experience to offer but compromises big time at the back. Both the Japanese cars have identical trunk volume while the Ford Fusion has the largest boot alongside the most balanced front and rear seat comfort. 

• 8-way power driver seat w/manual lumbar adjust
• Heated low-back bucket seats
• 60/40 folding rear bench seat w/pass-through
• Z-striped leather-trimmed front bucket seats
• Tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Automatic climate control
• Remote start system

How is the 2012 Dodge Avenger Sedan’s infotainment system?

The technology is also the weakest link in Avenger’s cabin and although the standard stereo is simple and user-friendly the touchscreen is unintuitive to use right since it was launched and has hardly improved over the years.

The base audio system is good too but the optional Boston Acoustics needs a special mention while the inclusion of Bluetooth and satellite radio brings the technology closer to the competition. 

• 6.5-inch Media center 430 touchscreen infotainment system
• 6-speaker Boston Acoustics audio system
• 40GB hard drive
• SiriusXM satellite radio w/1 year paid subscription
• Bluetooth streaming audio
• Removable short mast antenna

The 2012 Avenger does not see any aesthetic changes 2012 and continues with the sleek, stylish, and slightly muscular appearance.

The front quad grille is signature to the Dodge designs while the chunky front bumper while the bulked up rear fenders are reminiscent of the Dodge Charger and both together provide the muscular appeal to the car. 

The Avenger is a pretty heavy car while the Japanese Camry and Altima are pretty light for the segment, weighing similar to each other. The Toyota Camry has the highest ground clearance to offer while the other three cars have a similar ride height. Although the Ford Fusion is the most compact car in this comparison, it offers the best cabin space. 

• Quad optics automatic headlamps w/headlamp off time delay
• LED tail lamps
• Body-colored power heated foldaway mirrors
• Trunk lid spoiler
• Front & rear solar control glass w/Tinted glass windows
• 18-inch Rallye design aluminum wheels

There may not be many modern safety features and driver aids on offer with the Avenger, but it still manages to perform well in the safety tests. The NHTSA has rated the car with a 4-star overall rating out of the possible 5-stars, while the IIHS has chosen it as the ‘Top Safety Pick’ for the 2012 model year. 

• Electronic stability program
• Front advanced multistage airbags w/front passenger occupant sensor
• Supplemental front-seat side and side airbags
• Supplemental front & rear side-curtain airbags
• Tire pressure monitoring display

The Dodge Avenger has probably got its final booster shot with the recent facelift last year but the expectations are cut out all ready for it with the rivals providing immense value at marginally higher prices. With the lack of technology and safety features, it is surely an uphill battle for the Avenger and unless Dodge decides for a complete modernization of the car, the chances of it being a success are pretty slim.